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Mishra or Misra (Hindi: "मिश्र" "मिश्रा") is a Hindu Brahmin surname found mostly in the northern and central parts of India. The density of Mishra is more among Saryupareen Brahmins, Kanyakubja Brahmins, Maithil Brahmins, Bhumihar Brahmins and Utkala Brahmins . It is one of the most widespread Brahmin surnames in the fertile Gangetic plain region and in the Indian states of Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, Assam, and West Bengal. It is also found in countries such as Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago under the anglicized version of Misir, The surname is also found in Nepal, Fiji and Mauritius, as well as in other Indian diaspora communities.

"Mishra" or Misra is similar to Maitreya or Maitra or Maitri (friend) Mishra and both have same meaning. It is one of the most widespread Brahmin surnames in the fertile gangetic plain region and in the Indian states of Punjab, Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam and West Bengal. It is also found in countries such as Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago under the anglicized version of Misir, where many Mishras were taken to work on sugar plantations due to their agricultural prowess and skills in other fields. Stories say that even the British used to call Mishra my sir hence Misir and Mishra. The surname is also found in Fiji and Mauritius, as well as in other Indian diaspora communities. It is one of the most common surnames among the Brahmins in India.

It is believed that 'Misir'is the original pronunciation and 'Mishra' the anglicized version. Those who migrated away from India held to the original names more strongly as it was their identity to their roots. The above anecdote can be justified from the following – MiSir if separated reads as Mi Sir or My Sir.

"Mishra" is a surname associated with Gautam Gotra (descent from one of the three great sage Gautam) Brahmin. However it is also found in other gotras like Bharadwaj, Kashyap, Kauschhasa and Shandilya too."Mishra" surname is also used by descent from the great king Bhagiratha, the warrior saint Parashurama and also Vamana who covered his whole creation of universe with his bare feet in just two steps to save whole universe of lord Vishnu in form of small baby child Vamana an avatar of Vishnu, Mishras are very likeable and secular people being Hindus, they have historically been devout Hindus and staunch followers and defenders of the faith. They have historically been martial Brahmins as well, and due to there involvement in the uprising against the British in the First War of Indian Independence in 1857, when many of the ranks which followed Mangal Pandey in his rebellion were composed of Brahmins from the agricultural regions of Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Due to this they were not declared a martial race like Mohyals due to their ardent support for the Indian independence movement and rebellion against the British Raj. Historically, Mishras have always fulfilled their religious duties and had great knowledge of the Vedas and other holy texts. However presently the majority are engaged in more secular vocations.

Presently, the majority of Mishras inhabit the fertile agricultural regions of Uttar Pradesh & Bihar, where they are engaged in agriculture, a practice in which they are highly skilled. However as rural depopulation increases, many are leaving the villages and many Mishras are highy skilled professionals and are working in other vocations, both in India and across the globe.

In Hinduism, Brahmin refers to the class of educators and preachers. It is the highest class in the caste system. There are many references in the Ramayana and Mahabharata about the importance of a Brahmin. In the Vedic period, the Brahmins preferred isolation and solely dedicated their life to propagating knowledge and Dharma. However Mishras have historically been martial Brahmins and in earlier years, many were drafted into the army.

Notable people [edit]

• Amritesh Mishra - Advocate, Delhi High Court and Partner at The Amenders Legal - India's Budget Law Firm. He is also the Founder of The Amenders ProBonoPublico - An Amenders Legal initiative to provide legal aid to under privileged clients. Happens to be the grandson of Late Pandit Sh. Shyam Narayan Mishra - a renowned social worker in Bihar and grand nephew of Late Sh. Lalit Narayan Mishra and Dr. Jagannath Mishra and nephew of Nitish Mishra.
• Kailashpati Mishra – Quit India Movement nationalist and senior politician of Bharatiya Janata Party
• Shyam Nandan Prasad Mishra – Indian National Congress politician, eminent Parliamentarian and Central Minister.
• Akhilendra Mishra – Indian film and television character actor.
• Amit Mishra – Indian cricketer.
• Anupam Mishra – Environmentalist & water conservationist
• Birju Maharaj – Kathak dancer
• Brajesh Mishra – National Security Advisor
• Chaitanya Maha Prabhu – Poet
• Chhannulal Mishra – Hindustani classical music singer
• Chaturanan Mishra – Former Indian Agriculture Minister
• Jagannath Mishra – Politician
• Jayamant Mishra – Jayamant Mishra, (1925–2010) Sanskrit scholar and Maithili poet
• Justice Gyan Sudha Mishra – Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
• Justice Ranganath Misra – Former Chief Justice of India, Famous for Mishra Commission
• Kalraj Mishra – BJP Leader Uttar Pradesh
• Lalit Narayan Mishra – Former Indian Rail Minister.
• Mandana Mishra – Philosopher of Ancient India,Maṇḍana Miśra is best known as the author of the Brahmasiddhi.
• Nitish Mishra – JDU Leader Bihar And state Cabinet minister of bihar
• Pooja Misrra – Model, vj
• Dr Puneet Misra:- President, Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine and Additional Professor,AIIMS,New Delhi ^[1]
• Leela Mishra – film actor
• Piyush Mishra – Indian film actor, music director, lyricist, and writer
• Rajan and Sajan Mishra – Contemporary North Indian Musician
• Roopa Mishra – IAS topper 2005 from Odisha
• Sameer Mishra – 81st Scripps National Spelling Bee champion (USA)
• Sanjay Mishra – World famous American guitarist and composer.
• Sanjay Mishra (actor) – comedian known from Office Office.
• Satish Chandra Mishra – BSP Leader Uttar Pradesh India
• Shri Parkash Mishra - President, All India Tirth Purohit Mahasabha, Haridwar
• Smriti Mishra – Indian film actress famous for her roles in parallel cinema.
• Sourav Mishra – Reuters journalist, one of the first witnesses of 2008 Mumbai Attacks
• Sudhir Mishra – Indian film director and screenwriter
• Vanya Mishra – Femina Miss India 2012

References [edit]